QUEZON -- Thirteen passengers of a rented boat that went in trouble while cruising the territorial water of Polillo Island on Monday morning, Jan. 30, were rescued by joint personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard-Quezon, Polillo and Panukulan Municipalities Disasters Risk Reduction Management Offices.
According to Jeremie Erracho, head of Panukulan-MDRRMO, the boat carrying 13 people departed at Panukulan port and was bound for Polillo port when it was caught by big waves and strong winds at Barangay Tamulaya-Abibing in Polillo town, about six kilometers away from the port.
The boat stopped in the middle of the sea after its ‘katig’ was cut off.
One of the passengers sought help from Panukulan MDRRMO that immediately made a coordination with the Coast Guard for a rescue operation.
After an hour, the passengers, composed of nine males and four females, were rescued.
The passengers rented the boat to bring them to Polillo port from where they were to catch a roll-on-roll-off (RORO) at Real port.
All passengers are accounted for and unharmed, Errancho said.